With my oncologist's blessing, as of today, I am stopping Letrozole for a month. A Christmas present to myself.The two main side effects are the permanent bone ache in my ankles and thumb joints. I am very interested to see how quickly they go, if they go at all. I'm also curious to observe the effect on my brain, again, if any. Mucosal dryness is the other annoying side effect.When I start taking it again on 1/1/19 I'll try taking it at night. And after observing what happens for a month, I'll add curcumin to the mix.The clinical trial continues!

@Flaneuse Thank you. Both my oncologists (as in old and new, not concurrent!) have told me that some of their patients have reported success with curcumin so I thought I'd give it a crack.I don't know about restorative, but certainly most fun! All the same problems remain, but it was good to have a break for a bit.@Annski @SoldierCrab I took the words of wisdom here to heart and let go of a lot of the Christmas Day perfectionism that I normally have. I wasn't here for the set-up, was behind on my own prep (normally have everything wrapped long before Christmas Eve) and couldn't find half the stuff I normally put out. But stress I did not! I just focussed on the food, laid a pretty table and made sure the sparkling shiraz was chilled. Not really the energy for anything else. It all went well. Sounds like it did at yours. K xox

My mother decided at a very early stage that we would all have Christmas Day at a hotel. With only 2 days holiday, she wasn't going to spend it cooking, clearing and cleaning up. So we did. It probably cost not much more, my mother enjoyed it as much as the rest of us and no squabbles about who's doing what. Even a large family can do it if they share some of the cost.

I hear you @Annski and @kezmusc. It sometimes feels like a major battle to create the traditions that everyone professes to adore yet won't lift a finger to contribute towards. And I agree with you about the cost. We are easily the most financially stressed unit in the wider family but no one ever offers to contribute financially! And despite protestations, it was my husband and I who did the cleaning up...I was pleased with the food delegation this year. Note to self: next year lay down the law re cleaning up!

@SoldierCrab and @kezmusc, yes, yes and yes. How old is the eldest? Get this, he is 52! He doesn't live anywhere permanently, works in rural horticulture and so comes to his Mum's at Christmas. Nowhere for him to host us. Older daughter has another Mumsy, my ex-husbands third wife who she regards as a much better specimen than me, so she goes to her at Christmas, or to her step-sister's. She herself never hosts anyone. Granddaughters are hilarious, especially the 21 year old. She did her level best to help but couldn't find out where anything was kept and as a vegetarian objected to being anywhere near the turkey. My youngest daughter really did try this year, brought lots of salads and dips and nice things but arrived having already enjoyed some Christmas libations with her new boyfriend and somehow couldn't stop. He was rude and obnoxious. They finished up watching the most disgusting movie I have ever seen and what was it called? Bad Moms 2, of course. Wonderful way to show respect to the poor old matriarch with BC.Oh Kezza you are so right, especially "feeling like a slave". I do love your list. It is a wonder, you should patent it. I thought I might print it out. I think the thing is, they all feel I have set the rules and they no longer feel they should have to abide by them. Who said there should be turkey and ham? What's wrong with hummus and cold tofu? Who says we shouldn't drink all the wine we can find in the cupboard when it turns out we didn't bring enough of our own? What's wrong with watching disgusting movies after lunch? I just don't know where I went wrong. They used to be nice, pleasant, kind children but they've got worse with each passing year. You've got to laugh sometimes.

I started Letrozole a few weeks ago. Aches aren't too bad but seem magnified when I want to go to sleep. The oncologist said if my finger joints get involved, have a month off. It's no biggie.

I'm on holiday... from Letrozole!

50 Replies

kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Definitely not @Sister!
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@iserbrown My oncologist said the ankle and thumb pain is a sign that the Letrozole is working so I'm inclined to think it's that rather than menopause. The ankle pain started three days after I started Letrozole, and I hadn't had a period for six months.
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
That's crappy Kate ,hoping you would be feeling heaps better ,crossing my fingers for you that the pain recedes xx
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Hope it's not impeding the travel, @kmakm
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Do you think that may suggest your symptoms are menopausal rather than letrozole?
I've done my 6 months on letrozole and sleep depraved and worn out by it all so I come off it tomorrow! yay!
I am going on to something else so I can't let you know if there's a withdrawal
Don't know of anyone having a break like you but that doesn't mean there isn't - have you used the search facility to see if you can find someone from earlier times, 2014, 2015 that may have had a break and suffered withdrawal
Otherwise all I can say is keep up the pain killers and hopefully it will subside soon!
Take care
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Well it's nine days since I stopped taking Letrozole. The mucosal dryness in my eyes, nose and mouth stopped by day four.

Sadly, no abating in the lower leg and hand pain. In fact, if anything they're worse. I've read a few others experience this so I'm hoping it will clear soon.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Questions: has anyone out there had a break from Letrozole? Did you have any withdrawal symproms? If so, what were they? And how long did they take to disappear?!

Three days of no Letrozole and from my knees to my ankles I'm in so much pain I've taken a Targin. Necessary if I've got a chance of sleeping tonight. It's taken the edge off but by no means stopped it.

I spent quite some time looking on the www. The best I could find is the same as going on it: it varies from person to person...

Just wondering. :*
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Thank you @kitkatb!

No abatement in the aches yet. In fact the ankle and lower leg pain is worse. It was making it difficult for me to get to sleep last night. The interesting thing about that is I took the last of my magnesium pills the day before the last Letrozole. So that's indicating to me that the magnesium may indeed have been helping more than I realised.
kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
@kmakm Have an awesome well deserved break and and what a great way to kick 2018 in the arse big time. That sucks about the irrigation system hope things improve. xox
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@afraser and @kmakm Bugger!

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I'm on holiday... from Letrozole!

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